Fash n Chips

For my 2nd Blog Birthday Giveaway I'm excited to announce that I've teamed up with Cooee. And before I tell you about the giveaway I thought I'd first share a little Q&A I recently did with the designer behind Cooee, the lovely Catrine Åberg!

Me: Can you tell me the story behind Cooee?

Catrine: I'm a Swedish designer and create both jewellery and interior objects. I have lived abroad for a couple of years; in London, Dublin and Sydney. I studied graphic design and marketing. When I was in Sydney I got a lot of inspiration from the Aboriginal art and the Australian nature. I decided to start my own brand in 2005 and I named it "Cooee" which means "hi, hello" in the Aboriginal language. I have always loved jewellery and I grew up in a family that works and is very interested in art and design. My grandmother was a great painter and she also loved accessories. I used to play with her vintage clothes and jewellery. She is a great inspiration to me.

Me: Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?

Catrine: I find inspiration all around me. I live close to the nature with lakes and great woods. I often get inspired by colour combinations from the nature and flowers. I love music, art, films and photography. All of this is a great inspiration. Patterns from different centuries. It can also start with that I find a great colour and then the creativity starts! Plus, I dream a lot and write down the ideas in the morning.

Me: You have done successful collaborations before. Is there any designer you dream of collaborating with someday?

Catrine: We will soon release a new collaboration, which is very exciting. And we have more coming up in the next year. As for another designer.. I have loved the Australian labels Sass & Bide and Willow ever since I lived in Sydney, so let's say that that would be a dream!

Me: The Nut Cuff seems to be the most popular Cooee item right now. How did you come up with this design?

Catrine: I love industrial design, Bauhaus and minimalism. The idea came to me one night before I was going to sleep and I wrote it down and the next day I started to look for the right bolts. I have a photo of my mother when she was young and she was in my Grandfathers factory. This is an inspiration for the industrial feeling as well.

Me: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Catrine: When you run your own company you dont have much spare time, as the work also is a great interest. But I love music, films and I love to read. So me and my boyfriend try to go to concerts and the cinema quite often. Next week we will go and see the latest gig by Swedish House Mafia in Stockholm. It will be amazing! And as I live close to the nature I take walks a couple of days per week, swim in the lakes during the Summer, I go ice skating during the Winter and I do some yoga from time to time. Cooking and baking is an interest as well, me and my boyfriend cook together every weekend. It's really fun and developing. Plus, we both paint for fun and it's very meditative. I also love languages and took several at high school and would like to take it up again. So I'm hoping I will get a course as a Christmas gift!

Now we're giving away one of these Nut Cuff bracelets and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is: 1. leave a COMMENT with your name, email address and the colour of the Nut Cuff you'd prefer to win (either CLEAR or BLACK) 2. 'LIKE' me and Cooee on Facebook and 3. IF POSSIBLE, FOLLOW me and Cooee on Instagram. The winner will be announced on my Facebook page on November 27. Good luck!